The young Cowboys put together arguably their most complete performance of the season last start when they ran roughshod over the Eels 54-6, with Torres Strait product and Cowboys flyer Gideon Mosby racing in four tries to have 19 four-pointers in just 12 games.

Refreshed after the bye weekend, Todd Payten’s team will be looking to continue their consolidation of that all-important top-two position.

The team is equal with the Broncos on points (21 from nine wins, three losses and a draw) but sit in second place on for-and-against.

Penrith lead the National Youth Competition outright on 24 points.

The Cowboys had a slightly different preparation this week, with Payten absent due to his role as the New South Wales under-18 coach for the State of Origin curtain-raiser against Queensland.

The young Maroons won that game 22-18, but Payten would have had mixed emotions as two of his Cowboys players – Bacho Salam and Mitchell Dunn – were playing for Queensland, as were future NYC Cowboys Reuben Cotter and Enari Tuala.

COWBOYS COACH TODD PAYTEN: “We’ve had a good break, followed by a solid extended preparation, now we just have to take that on to the field."